Tag Archives | Off-Piste Mag Gear Pick

I’ve been slow to adopt a ski helmet for the backcountry. As I’m fond of saying to those who question my lack of helmet, “My head’s not a vital organ, so why worry.” Joking aside, I certainly understand the value of wearing a helmet while skiing. I don’t get on my bike without one, and I’ve been known to wear… Read More

Our 2015 backcountry ski review is a fixture in the first issue of the season (due out Oct 15) but, to help fuel some winter dreams, we thought we’d share some of the details about a few favorites skis from testing. These are our official Editors’ Choice boards. Subscribe now to get the October issue with our full reviews and lots… Read More

Finding the right backcountry ski boot has a lot to do with good fit, but it’s also important to find the right combination of uphill functionality and downhill performance. La Sportiva nailed both in the Spectre alpine touring boot. The La Sportiva Spectre AT boot offers great walkability with the flick of a lever and excellent downhill performance without being… Read More

Ski testing season is here at Off-Piste Mag. And though no one seems to respect how much work it really is to test backcountry skis, boots and bindings, we’ve been hard at “work” checking out 2015 gear. Mount Hood has served up a classic mix of spring powder, bluebird days and everything in between. There’s nothing quite like six inches of… Read More

The Colorado Rockies have a long history of climbing and skiing and there are many lifetimes of descents to be earned within the state’s boundaries. Climbing and Skiing Colorado’s Mountains – 50 Select Ski Descents aims to help you select some of the best. While well known for its fourteeners, Colorado is, of course, full of countless lower elevation peaks…. Read More

Softshell Ski Jackets – Patagonia Knifeblade Jacket, OR Enchainment Jacket Having trouble regulating your temp on the up track? In addition to wearing too many layers or simply too warm a layer, too many backcountry skiers wear waterproof/breathable shells (top and bottom) for touring. I’m here to tell you that less is more and, more often than not, a fully… Read More

The term backcountry skiing has evolved over the years to represent a broad category of skiing from descent-focused big mountain riding to light-duty rolling hill touring. But, for many, it still conjures images of lightweight, touring-friendly gear that’s adept on the uphill and the down – the quintessential roots of backcountry touring. Interestingly, a few companies are bridging the descent-focused… Read More

The Arc’teryx Gamma SK pant is a piece gear that works and wears just the way you want it to. These softshells have become my go-to ski touring pants for a variety of reasons. In fact, I’m on my second pair and not because they don’t wear well. But because they fit and feel so great, I’ve worn them for… Read More

Continuing with our side project to visit and highlight local and regional ski related businesses, I recently made a trip to backpack maker, CiloGear, located in Portland, Oregon. The small, independent pack company is named after the Cilo Mountains, a remote range in southeast Turkey where Graham Williams, owner and founder, actually spent time climbing while living and working in… Read More

In doing some research for upcoming soft shell ski jacket editorial, I took notice of a new Polartec Power Shield shell from TREW Gear called the Swift. I’ve seen TREW’s ski shells and pants around at the local hill here and there – their thumbs up logo on the left shoulder is pretty distinctive – but I’d never looked further… Read More

The office ski fleet is flush with sweet backcountry powder boards this season and with a couple months of skiing under our belt, it’s time to offer some insights. The full run down of skis includes three models that measure in at 112mm underfoot.: The DPS Wailer 112, Voile Charger, G3 District. I have been a fan of the Voile… Read More

Snowy pursuits have taken a back seat to summer travel and mountain biking. I am in Telluride for the 38th Annual Bluegrass Festival. The music has been inspiring as are the peaks of the San Juan Mountains. As an Oregon boy though, the sun here is a bit overwhelming. I have been lucky enough to get out for several mountain… Read More

I am a fan of synthetic insulation. Its all-weather versatility is unbeatable for backcountry skiing. Sure, I live in the land of heavy precip and moderate temps, but even when skiing in colder climates, I still find my gear gets damp. Maybe it is my affinity for storm cycle skiing, or maybe it is my not-so-careful gear management skills. Synthetic… Read More